French attempts to eradicate non-indigenous mammals and their consequences for native biota

Published source details Lorvelec O. & Pascal M. (2005) French attempts to eradicate non-indigenous mammals and their consequences for native biota. Biological Invasions, 7, 135-140.
Share Tweet Email

Summary

In France, as in many countries, eradicating non-indigenous (often invasive) species is considered by politicians and others as almost impossible; despite studies indicating that eradication is sometimes feasible, a response is that foreign examples are of little relevance to France. Additionally it is claimed that even if successful, their consequences are hazardous to native species. To address this issue in a French context, a review was undertaken of attempts to eradicate non-indigenous mammals, and their consequences for native fauna and flora, in France and the French territories.

A review was undertaken to assess all known eradication attempts of non-indigenous mammals performed in France and its overseas departments and territories, and their consequences for native fauna and flora.

Nineteen vertebrate eradication attempts (target species all mammals) were recorded; 18 took place on islands (in Western Europe, Mediterranean, West Indies and Indian Ocean subantarctic) and one in mainland France. The species (or hybrids) involved were: Canadian beaver Castor canadensis, black rat Rattus rattus, Norway rat R.norvegicus, house mouse Mus musculus, small Indian mongoose Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus, wild cat Felis silvestris x domestic cat Felis catus hybrids, and European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (including hybrids).

Of these 19 attempts, five failed. Thirteen provided data on the impact of the eradication for 14 native species (one mammal, nine birds, one marine turtle, one crab, one beetle, one plant). This impact was never detrimental and positive examples include: i) reestablishment of the Kerguelen cabbage Pringlea antiscorbutica on Verte Island (Kerguelen Archipelago) after rabbit removal, followed by the unexpected natural recolonisation of the beetle C.sericea, dependant on the cabbage; and ii) increases in abundance of lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolens after the removal of Norwegian rat from an island off Brittany; and of the black land crab Gecarcinus ruricola after ship rat eradication on Martinique.

Despite the general paucity of information concerning eradication attempts, good risk assessment and planning appeared to prevent potential undesirable consequences for non-target species, including many endemics.

Note: If using or referring to this published study, please read and quote the original paper, this can be viewed at: